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Public Information Office, City Hall, 1110 Houston St., Laredo, TX 78040
Xochitl Mora o: 956.791-7461 m: 956.337.3639 e: lmora@ci.laredo.tx.us
www.cityoflaredo.com
City of Laredo Goes to Washington
Annual advocacy trip pushes city’s important issues
Laredo, TX—Feb. 26, 2015— The City of Laredo will travel to our nation’s
capitol, advocating for federal funds to help with local issues in the community that have a
national impact, such as health, security, environmental, water and transportation. Leading the
delegation will be Mayor Pete Saenz; District I Council Member Rudy Gonzalez; District II
Council Member Esteban Rangel; District III Council Member Alex Perez; and District V
Council Member Roque Vela. They will be joined by City of Laredo administrators and
directors, leaving on Sunday, March 1, 2015 and returning to Laredo on Thursday, March 5,
2015.
Because of the many relationships that have been established by local leaders with U.S. senators
and representatives, as well as the many agencies, federal dollars continue to pour into Laredo
coffers to help fund various projects and move the city forward.
“Laredo, as the nation’s largest inland port, is truly the hub of the Americas,” says City of
Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz. “Laredo is also our country’s most vital border city. This trip serves
to remind our elected officials of Laredo’s most pressing needs.”
Assisted by the City of Laredo’s federal legislative consulting firm, delegates meet with
legislators and agencies that govern the issues which most impact Laredo.
“Because of the role our community plays in protecting our nation, while promoting trade
throughout the western hemisphere, it is imperative that we travel to our nation’s capitol to
remind Washington of the importance of Laredo,” says Interim City Manager Jesus Olivares.
Highlights of the trip include a meeting at the Department of Justice, where requests will include
funding for the City’s Emergency Operation Center, fire station construction; and continued
funding and support of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program.
Of course, no trip would be complete without a meeting with Laredo’s own congressman, U.S.
Representative Henry Cuellar, who will be hosting a meeting of all Texas Members of Congress
for the Laredo delegation. Additionally, visits to the office Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted
Cruz will conclude the City’s efforts to advocate for Laredo.
Other scheduled meetings include General Services Administration, Environmental Protection
Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Emergency Management Administration,
Department of Energy and Health and Human Services, where City leaders hope to secure
funding for chronic disease prevention, especially obesity and diabetes, substance abuse and
mental health programs, and US/Mexico border region federal designation for public health
border security.
The City of Laredo will also push for funding for a new maintenance and operations facility for
the El Metro transit bus system; modernization of the Laredo International Airport; HUD
Entitlement Program CDBG & Home funding; and funding for the Rio Grande River Low Water
Weir Project; Rio Grande Basin – Chacon Creek Improvements Project; as well as support for
the Section 206 Ecosystem restoration projects.
Additionally, Webb County elected officials and members of the private sector, including Laredo
Chamber of Commerce, Laredo Development Foundation, Texas A&M International University
and business leaders in Laredo are joining with City officials to make a more unified voice for
the needs of the community.
Finally, the trip wraps up with the annual Laredo Day Reception, on Wednesday night, where all
elected officials, directors of federal agencies and staff members stop by to meet once more with
City leaders in a more social atmosphere.
“Having the city officials here in Washington, meeting with elected officials and other federal
agencies, advocating on behalf of the city’s most pressing issues is very important for the
citizens of Laredo, because that means Laredo can push for the allocation of more federal funds,
allowing for local tax dollars to be used for other local needs,” said Congressman Cuellar, DLaredo.
MEETINGS SCHEDULED:
Congressman Henry Cuellar
Administration
Senator John Cornyn
Agency
Senator Ted Cruz
Army Corp of Engineers
Community Oriented Policing Services
Department of Energy
Dept. of Health & Human Services
Department of Justice
Department of Transportation
CITY OF LAREDO OFFICIALS
Jesus Olivares, Interim City Manager
Cynthia Collazo Deputy City Manager
Director
Jose Flores, Airport Manager
Economic Development
Environmental Protection
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Railway Administration
FEMA
General Services Administration
Office of Internal Health
State Department
Steve Landin, Fire Chief
Riazul Mia, Environmental Services
Dr. Hector Gonzalez, Health Director
Mario Maldonado, Jr., Bridge System Manager
Director
Jessica Newsome-Harris, Executive Assistant to the City Manager
Blasita Lopez, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director
Director
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Webb County Commissioner John Galo, Pct 3
Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar
Miguel Conchas, Laredo Chamber of Commerce
Olivia Varela, Laredo Development Foundation
Dr. Ray Keck, Texas A&M International University
Armando Garza, Elia Guevara, Jesus Marina, Lucy Mejia, ALFA
Nathan Bratton, Planning & Zoning
Ray Garner, Police Chief
Tomas Rodriguez, Jr., Utilities
Eduardo Parra, CDM
Frank Rotnofsky, Frank Architects
Russell Ford, LAN
Celina Alvarado, WBCA
John Kilburn, TAMIU
Eddie Zavala, Webb County